Kimkim Trip Reviews for South Korea

When we arrived to Seoul, we were supposed to have a 4 hour tour coming straight from the airport. However, it was 6.5 hours and we only did 2 of the 5 things listed on the itinerary before forcing to call it quits due to the young children in our group. This day was very poorly planned. We got to the lunch spot, bought a few different items, and were ready to go, but we were told we needed to stay put and wait for 30 minutes until our guide and driver had time to enjoy their lunch. This was a waste of our time. The guide also told us she’d reach out to her manager to see about a refund for the spots we were unable to hit and I have yet to hear back. If the cable car is known to have lines and you chose to not purchase tickets in advance, why would that not be the first stop?

The second day at the DMZ was amazing. Vincent was great.

Christine was personable patient and reliable. I wish she could plan my whole life! I enjoyed working with her

Our trip was amazing and everything went according to plan.
We interacted first with Jones with whom we spent 11 days from Seoul to Gwangju. Jones is very reliable and has a very good knowledge about his country. If he does not know the response to a question, he will make sure to look for it. He advised us about good places to eat. We definitely recommend him especially for several days like we did with Jones.
Luke in Busan was very nice and very open about the culture of Busan.
Christine is very professional and though we spent only one day with her, it was very interesting to discuss about the past and the present of Korea. She has a lot of knowledge and experience.

Hotel Reviews

Hanok Hotel Daam Seoul

Beautiful hotel: Beautiful authentic room, Delicious breakfast. Very nice staff. Very well situated, this Hanok has it all. One of the best of our trip.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Skybay Gyeongpo

Gangneung

We did not go to this hotel as the program was changed. We were instead, in Itaewon in Seoul in the Hamilton Hotel. Though noisy because of it’s proximity with the Main Street of Itaewon, We recommended this hotel for its convenience location.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lavalse Hotel

Very well situated near the older part of Busan. The view is spectacular when you face the bay. Though not an authentic hotel, ew definitely recommend this hotel for its convenience, view.

Authenticity & Character

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Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Stanford Hotel and Resort Tongyeong

Cold atmosphere. Nice and big room and view on the sea.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Shilla Stay Yeosu Expo Station

Yeosu

Though big and not traditional, this hotel has a great view on the harbor . It is clean and modern. We enjoy our stay.

Authenticity & Character

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Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Seaes Hotel & Resort

Very nice and relaxing resort. A nice place to discover the south of Jeju Island and to enjoy nuit the view on the sea. Definitely recommend it.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Jeju Sun Hotel and Casino

Well situated as it is a good base ro discover Jeju city in a Jeju Island. Good breakfast. Nice room.

Authenticity & Character

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Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Holiday Inn Gwangju

Nothing special to say

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Songjukheon Pension

We arrived late at this place and it is in the middle of nowhere . Si, we did not have the chance to meet the owners who live in another house. No breakfast which is a problem, the room, which is more of an apartment was c very clean but we think this place is better for a long stay and not for a one night stay.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Cleanliness & Comfort

Samlockhon

jeonju

Great place to stay with very very nice people to welcome us. The top was very spacious and authentic. It was the best Hanok atmosphere wise with very kind owners would love to intersect with guests. The breakfast is home made cooking and everything is delicious. We definitely recommend recommend this Hanok beautifully situated in the center of Jeonju

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

HanokInn

Very well situated but the owner is not very talkative and and at ease with guests. The room , we had would not suit everyone as it was very very small with the bed in a mezzanine with a difficult staircase. Not a problem for us though but just mentioning . The breakfast, which is very light as announced, was kit to our taste. We had to have breakfast outside.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Golgulsa Temple Stay

Gyeongju

The accommodation is so-do especially because it was raining during our stay.

Authenticity & Character

For the authenticity and character , we gave 4 , not for the accommodation but for the atmosphere and the activities the temple stay offer. It was an experience for us.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rakkojae Hahoe Hanok Hotel

Andong

Best hotel we stay in during our 5 weeks trips. Everything was perfect and we wish we could have stayed longer.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sea Cruise Hotel

Sokcho

Cold atmosphere and huge hotel

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

NINE TREE BY PARNAS SEOUL MYEONDONG 2

Seoul

Nicely situated. Has a business feel. It was very busy during stay with students groups . Very good breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Korean Folk Village and Suwon Hwaseong Fortress Tour

South Korea

Discover the Culture of Busan with Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

Busan

Full Day Cicadas Castle and Haegeumgang Island Tour

South Korea

The Healing Tour of Suncheon Bay National Garden and Wetland Reserve

Suncheon

Sunchang Gochujang Village, Damyan Bamboo Forest and 5.18 Memorial Park

Gwangju

Full Day Naejangsan National Park Hiking - Baekyangsa and Sangwangbong

Gwangju

Culinary Experience in Korea's Food Capital

Jeonju

K-drama Filming Spots in Jeonju - Jeonju Hanok Village and Gyeonggijeon

Jeonju

Jeonju Nambu Traditional Market Tour

Jeonju

Visit Gayasan National Park and Haeinsa Temple

Daegu

Half Day Gyeongju National Museum and Tumuli Park Tour with Night View

Gyeongju

Half Day Golgulsa Temple Stay-D2

Gyeongju

Half Day Golgulsa Temple Stay

Gyeongju

Gyeongju Cultural Heritage Discovery: Yangdong Village and Oksan Seowon

Gyeongju

Half Day Andong Hahoe Folk Village and Byeongsan Seowon Tour

Andong

Hiking in Seoraksan National Park - Gwongeumseong Fortress Course

Sokcho

Because of the rainy weather

Explore Nature on the Way to Sokcho: Garden of Morning Calm, Nami Island, Gangchon Rail Park

South Korea

Go on a Hiking Tour of Bukhansan and Ancient Seunggasa Temple

Seoul

Taste of Korea, Authentic Home-Style Cooking Class

Seoul

Full Day Korean DMZ and Hongdae Shopping Street Tour

Seoul

Full Day Gyeongbokgung Hanbok Dressing & Namsan Tower

Seoul

Christine (from Kimkim) was very responsive and friendly, she had good suggestions for things for us to do. She didn’t always have the best attention to detail. It took several attempts to explain our situation, that we were combining a self paid trip with a hotel stay covers by the conference that invited me to Korea. After a couple of rounds she eventually got it right.

She failed to consider that our arrival at the hotel was going to be before check in time and did not suggest alternatives such as the option of paying for an early check in. She offered us one option for hotel— the L7 in Myeongdong. It was a nice hotel, well run, clean, with an excellent breakfast. However, for people our age, staying in Myeongdong got tiresome after a couple of nights. It would have been helpful to have been warned about the noise and crowds and offered a possible alternative.

We were directed to excellent activities and connected with an outstanding guide, Christine Lee and her husband Young. Christine was knowledgeable, warm and friendly. We got an excellent picture of Korean history talking with her and she showed us around Nami island and the garden of morning calm as an expert. These two experiences were outstanding!

Hotel Review

L7 Myeongdong by LOTTE

It’s a well run hotel, very clean, and the breakfast is excellent. Myeongdong is a central location with easy access to subway, the byeongbokgung palace. Myeongdong is where one of the major night markets with street food is located. However, it is harder to find quieter restaurants or easy places to walk around without crowds.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Central and close to subway.

Staff

Staff were great in the restaurant. They were unsure how to handle our early arrival straight from the airport.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Spotless and great maid service daily.

Activity Review

Discover K-drama Locations in European Villages & Nami Island

Seoul

The best parts of this trip was the visit to Nami Island and the garden of morning calm. The Italian and French villages are a bit tired and run down. Christine Lee and Young did an amazing job showing us around and teaching us about the history and flora of the area.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Jessica created a wonderful tour for us in Korea. We were met at the airport and guided throughout our stay which made this so very easy and not the least bit stressful. This was our first time having a private tour and I highly recommend it. One guide we had, Michael was especially impressive. He took us to visit historical sights, villages and the must see street food markets in Seoul. Jessica arranged our transportation on the high speed train to Busan for a few nights and that was amazing as well. I would not hesitate to use Kimkim travel in the future, they truly make touring a seamless experience, well worth the cost!

This has been an overall very positive experience. Christine was very helpful. The interaction was great and she always was able to adjust & finetune our wishes. We changed the itinerary a few times, but she always stayed friendly & professional. Even when we made a mistake, they were able to correct it last minjte.
In the excursions, the cooking class in Seoul was a great experience. In Jeju, the driver & guid Mr. Jimmi Koh has been truly wonderful, friendly & knowledgeable.

Thank You for a good cooperation !

Activity Reviews

Discover Jeju with Seongsan Ilchulbong and Seongeup Folk Village

Jeju Island

Guides, Drivers and Staff

the guide & driver Mr. Jimmie Koh was wonderful

Transport

Korean Full-Course Meal Cooking Class at Local Home with Local Market Experience

Seoul

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I cannot be thankful enough for all the patience, ideas, support and recommendation shown by Jessica and the team.
The experience and vacation turned out to be the most memorable and joyful ones for me and my wife.
Words cannot express what a lovely time we had and we will definitely re visit South Korea again :)

Can't say enough praise for my travel companion, S. Kim. She was extremely knowledgeable of the areas, history and travel plans. She was attentive to my dietary special needs and health issues. She made sure I was having a fun time and went shopping with me! She, Christine and Alicia need to have an award given to them by the Government for representing their country in such a fine and caring manner.!

Hotel Reviews

Shilla Stay Jeonju Hanok Village

11th floor restaurant staff person very helpful., Clean, nice view of city

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Had a situation at breakfast.... They were short of staff, so there was a waiting list an hour long to be seated. I have medical issues and was in distress and needed to eat something right away. I explained (through Papago) of my urgency, but 2 staff said that I would have to wait my turn. I asked for the manager, but they said that the person was not there that day. I apologized, but ran past them to go to the buffet. I sat at a used table, ate quickly and left. Otherwise, I would have fainted.... I wish their supervisor will let them be aware of medical needs of their patrons when it comes to eating needs. Thank you.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Gyeongju Hwarangroo

Great location--- near historic Jeonju burial mounds. Clean, compact

Authenticity & Character

Would say it was a 'modernized' hanbok, but great experience

Location

Staff

Some were very kind, some were curt

Cleanliness & Comfort

bath was very clean

Golgulsa Temple Stay

Gyeongju

Not a hotel, but more like a rustic hostel. Must have a healthy body to do steep climbs. Buggy in room, but not all guests experienced this....

Authenticity & Character

knowing that people at ~1000 AD were there

Location

Staff

informative and kind

Cleanliness & Comfort

I never saw kitchenware being sanitized--- just washed with scrubby and water, then put out for use. Rooms and baths were free of dirt debris, but I never knew if anything was used to sanitize the room, etc. (My mattress cover had dried blood on it...) I brought my own disposable sheets/pillowcase

Rakkojae Hahoe Hanok Hotel

Andong

Great to experience Hanok ... Staff worked with my dietary needs to the best of their ability. Clean. Bring your own washcloths. Friendly. Lots of picture moments from early history...

Authenticity & Character

attention to historical detail

Location

near historical village

Staff

friendly and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

had to get used to 'hanok' style of room

NINE TREE BY PARNAS SEOUL MYEONDONG 2

Seoul

Breakfast was phenomenal (nice blend of Western and Eastern cuisine) Clean Helpful staff that spoke very good English

Authenticity & Character

Location

Could see the N-tower from my window

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

bathroom very clean

Activity Reviews

Jeonju Nambu Traditional Market Tour

Jeonju

Nice merchants--- willing to speak with a foreigner

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half Day Jeonju Hanok Village and Gyeonggijeon

Jeonju

Great history heritage ! Enjoyed the museums, dressing in hanbok again, ate chicken with some local merchants

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half Day Golgulsa Temple Stay-D2

Gyeongju

My lack of health would not allow me to participate in the exercise activities. The tea with the monk did not have an interpreter. Every one was nice and pleasant.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half Day Golgulsa Temple Stay

Gyeongju

I did not have the health for this activity/ Great picture opportunities

Quality of Experience

Food

I would have to bring my own food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Buseoksa Temple

Andong

My visit was shadowed by the fact of my chronic fatigue. This is a place best enjoyed by a healthy person because of the steep climbs. Great place for photos

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

SK climbed those paths with me! Pointed out interesting spots and photos

Transport

Explore the Ancient Andong

Andong

Too bad there was a deluge! The history of the place snatches you back in time.... So neat to know that you have to be a descendant of the original villagers to live there. One resident is a direct descendant of the original owner of the house in where he resides. Really neat!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Starfield Library

Seoul

I did not know it was a library only! Great to see a place that I saw in several K-Dramas. From there, you walk into the COAX Mall. Outside is the Gangnam hand statue...

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Romance in Seoul: Namsan Park and N Seoul Tower

Seoul

Just like the dramas--- saw a busker, ferry boat on the river. Wished I would have seen Rainbow Bridge with light show

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half Day Seoul City : Insadong and Dongdaemun Market

Seoul

Nice place for clothes for self or souvenirs

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

helped me choose some clothes, then came wit h me for lunch

Transport

K-Beauty Experience in Seoul: Make-up and Hair Styling

Seoul

Sweet young ladies. They blended many colors to be the one that was right for me. (So you can't buy it, unfortunately...) Styled my hair for the hanbok experience later that day

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half Day Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village

Seoul

It rained! Enjoyed the hair / make up prior to going tot the Hanbok store. SK was helpful with photography and museum guide. Bukchon Village was nice to see, especially knowing that the aristocracy used to live there, near the Palace

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Jessica was very accommodating and helpful in setting up our visit, our itinerary, and adapting to changes that we threw her way. We had a wonderful experience on our first vacation in South Korea. There were no logistical problems with any of the hotels, transportation or guides. Everything went very smoothly. This was our first time planning a vacation this way and we really enjoyed not having to worry about logistics.

My recent trip to Korea was a trip of a lifetime! I enjoyed every moment of my trip and will always remember all of the places I visited along with all of the incredible tour guides that made the tours so memorable. Jessica, our travel specialist, was very detailed and responsive to all of our questions and requests. She was very professional and courteous and gave me peace of mind for our tours in Korea. Our tour guides were excellent in so many ways. I loved that they had a back-up plan whenever the weather changed. They were flexible but made sure that we visited all the places on our itinerary. I enjoyed many of the tours and appreciated their expertise on the history and culture at each attraction/location. They are very well informed and provided great summaries for us. They even offered to take photos of our group and did an exceptional job at taking memorable group photos at each site. Lastly, I appreciated all of their food and shopping recommendations for us to try during our "free" days. In summary, I had an epic trip to South Korea and will definitely come back for a return visit in the future. Many, many thanks, KimKim.

We did a Seoul City tour with Lisa Choi! We learned a tremendous amount of Korea history which helped the rest of the trip. Then we toured Suwon with Sophia. This was a great chance to get out of Seoul and see more. Our trip to the night markets was fun and delicious with Yoon. Thanks so much Jessica! We got information in time but I would have loved to have had it a week in advance.

Activity Reviews

Taste the Night: Seoul’s Ultimate Street Food Adventure

Seoul

We arrived late and our guide was very kind to include us fully. Yoon was terrific!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Korean Folk Village and Suwon Hwaseong Fortress Tour

South Korea

This is was a good way to get out of Seoul and learn more history. Suwon had more outdoor space for us!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Seoul City Sightseeing Tour Including Gyeongbokgung Palace, N Seoul Tower, and Namsangol Hanok Village (Join in)

Seoul

A great way to learn Korean culture and history.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a wonderful trip to South Korea. With the help of our local specialist, Jessica, we planned an itinerary to Seoul, Gyeongju, Busan and Jeju Island that was filled with K-Drama locations and other must-see Korean sites.

Our drivers were all very kind and strong (they had to lift very heavy luggages)!

Our guides Taylor, Luke and Clover were kind, friendly, knowledgeable, and excellent photographers. When it rained they were readily prepared with a Plan B. And they even went out of their way to help us check off many bucket list items that weren’t necessarily part of our itinerary. We loved the time we spent with each and every one of them!

Our 13-day trip to South Korea was amazing!

Jessica did a great job organizing activities for the entire family; we are a diverse group with varied interests. My child loved the National Palace Museum of Korea, the Gyeongju National Museum, and the National Museum of Korea. My spouse loved the art exhibits: Sculpted Céladon of the Goryeo Dynasty - Gyeongju National Museum and the Arte Museum in Jeju. I loved the varied and yummy food. The highlight of my trip was the cooking class with Seoul Foodventure!

All of our guides were lovely and flexible, and helped us pivot when the weather wasn't cooperating or we needed some time to be more still. I would especially recommend Mr. William Jang. He is knowledgeable and kind - it was a real cultural exchange, which is what travel is all about.

We will return to South Korea.

Thank you, Jessica. Thank you, Kimkim.

We really enjoyed the tours provided by our local guides in Japan. Our first guide Nick came very well prepared to provide current and historical information on the sites we visited which included the Meiji Jingu Shrine, and the Sensoji Temple. At lunch time, he navigated the crowded Tsukiji Outer Fish Market to lead us to a restaurant with delicious sushi: Sushizanmai Honten.

Zumi was our guide in Osaka who took us to see the impressive Umeda Sky Building along with the Osaka Castle. The day ended with a visit to Nara Park. Zumi was very kind and easygoing; our family connected with him over our shared love of baseball. Both guides were considerate of the high temperature and humidity and provided breaks to rest and hydrate which we really appreciated.

Clover, our guide in Jeju, was a joy. Among many of the sites, she took us to see Jeju's beautiful beaches on differing sides of the island: Woljeongri Beach and Hyeopjae Beach. Throughout both tour days, she displayed thoughtfulness and consideration of everyone in our family such as helping my elderly mother navigate Dongmun Traditional Market and carrying all of her purchases. She even helped by providing tips for our self guided day on Udo Island.

This kindness and consideration were further extended by Jones, our guide in Seoul. My husband and I had visited Gyeongbokgung Palace before but we learned so much more about its history and architectural symbolism from Jones. We mentioned our impromptu interest in visiting a bookstore in Seoul and Jones gladly accommodated our wish; while at the bookstore he helped our family find the topics of books we were searching for.

Though it was our first time meeting each of our guides, upon arriving in Japan and Korea, we felt like we had friends waiting for us to show us hospitality. Our family left Japan and Korea with so many amazing memories thanks to our guides.

Hotel Review

Jeju Sun Hotel and Casino

Please note that I provided the following review on TripAdvisor as well: My family and I enjoyed a five night stay at Jeju Sun Hotel and Casino and loved our experience there. The staff were so warm and welcoming each time we arrived back at the hotel from an excursion. Special shout out to Ahn Tae Young who went out of his way to help our family find a delicious naengmyeon (cold noodle) restaurant! The location of the hotel is conveniently located to bustling shops and restaurants all within walking distance. There is nearby bank where you can convert your currency. There was even a nearby park that held a free concert featuring young Korean artists on a Friday night. The hotel boasts a beautiful, bright and open lobby area which lifts your spirits after a long day of sightseeing. If you view other nearby hotel lobbies on the same street, they are rather bleak and bare. There’s really no comparison to Jeju Sun’s lobby and reception area. To the right of the lobby, you will find the Garden Buffet which served the most delicious breakfast buffet offering both Western style breakfast (eggs, sausage, bacon) and Korean cuisine. The freshness, quality and presentation of the food shows how much effort the chefs and staff put into the food. There was a green fruit compete dressing that I couldn’t get enough of; I wish I could get the recipe to make at home. Our room consisted of a spacious two bedroom, two bathroom suite that fit five people. After five days in cramped hotel rooms in Tokyo and Osaka, our room at Jeju Sun provided room to breathe. It was clean and comfortable and great for spending time together. One recommendation I would make is for the hotel to offer beach towels for guests who plan to visit Jeju’s beautiful beaches. I saw that most other Asian tourists spent the day at the beach dressed up to take pictures. We came to Jeju to actually swim in its lovely waters.

Authenticity & Character

Bright and inviting lobby area, decor, fixtures.

Location

Nearby shops and restaurants within walking distance.

Staff

One staff member went out of his way to make sure we found a delicious cold noodle restaurant.

Cleanliness & Comfort

I appreciate how clean the bathrooms were on a daily basis.

Activity Reviews

Explore Seoul Highlights

Seoul

We really appreciate the tour of Kwangjang market. While we're not hungry to eat because of lunch, high temperatures and upcoming dinner, we enjoyed seeing all of the delicious street food options. We have this market bookmarked to re-visit on our next trip to Korea.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Jones broke up the market into separate sections (seafood, pancake area, textiles).

Transport

Osaka-Nara day trip with Osaka Castle

Osaka

We loved Nara deer park. We fell asleep on the way to Nara and when we arrived, we were surprised to see so many deer frolocking about. The Todaiji Temple was set in a beautiful and serene setting. And having Zumi guiding us along the way was a treat!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half Day Horseback Riding and Kayaking Experience

Jeju Island

Our itinerary was adjusted so that horseback riding and kayaking were split into two separate days but I would say these were my favorite activities. The first day we rode horses in light rainfall crossing the street to reach a UNESCO site - a beach that had the most stunning views. The rain, the clacking of the horses as they walked, and the views made it a special experience. Kayaking was great exercise! It was fun to be out on the water with your family. I enjoyed the clear kayak where you should fish swimming beneath you!

Quality of Experience

Stunning views of the landscape near the horseback riding business are priceless!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Staff at the horseback riding business were considerate; they offered to take family photos while on horses.

Transport

Comfortable, clean air-conditioned van. Clover brought us water to ensure we were all hydrated.

We had a wonderful time in South Korea. Our guides Sophia, Luke and Clover were great.

Hotel Reviews

Shilla Stay Jeju Airport

Great location. Nice breakfast and room.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lavalse Hotel

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Pension Gyeongju Hanokstay Darak 경주 한옥스테이 다락

Great location. Cozy room.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lotte City Hotel Myeongdong

Seoul

Nice location and great breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Very close to restaurants and shopping.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Full Day Mt. Hallasan and Spirited Garden Tour

Jeju Island

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Women Diver Museum, Sunrise Peak, and Seongeup Village Tour

Jeju Island

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Gamcheon Cultural Village, Songdo Sky Walk and Jagalchi Fishery Market Tour

Busan

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Haedong Yonggungsa, Haewundae Beach and Traditional Market Tour

Busan

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half Day Bulguksa and Seokguram Grotto Tour

Gyeongju

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half Day Gyeongju National Museum and Tumuli Park Tour with Night View

Gyeongju

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Korean Full-Course Meal Cooking Class at Local Home with Local Market Experience

Seoul

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Spring Colors: Garden of Morning Calm and Nami Island

Seoul

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Gyeongbokgung Hanbok Dressing & Namsan Tower

Seoul

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Korean DMZ and Hongdae Shopping Street Tour

Seoul

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This was my second trip to Seoul and second time working with Jessica…and both of exceeded my expectations. The only part I would advise to pass is on the DMZ experience which was underwhelming. Head to the Gamaksan suspension bridge and unification park, grad Korean BBQ in Pagu, then head back to Seoul.

Hotel Review

JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Full Day Korean DMZ and Hongdae Shopping Street Tour

Seoul

Avoid the full tour and enjoy the suspension bridge and Pagu instead.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Overall, I had a great trip. My planning was definitely a little different. As I was going to visit my cousin, plus break up my trip with popping over to Thailand for 15 days, when I first put together an idea, Kimkim said that they wouldn't be able to do it. After I contacted customer service, they quickly explained to me that they were more than happy to accommodate what I was wanting for my Korea trip. I did have a problem arise while planning and when I contacted customer service again, they promptly called me and told me that they would get my agent to contact me so we could get my issue resolved.

Most of my trip was self-guided, but when I went to Gyeongju, I did have a guide. William was an excellent guide and I greatly enjoyed touring with him for the few days. He was able to take me to all of the sites I was wanting to visit in and around Gyeongju. Plus he had the best recommendations for lunch spots. If one is able to get William as a tour guide, one will definitely have a great experience with a very competent guide.

Part of my trip, I researched 2 places I wanted to go: Gyeongju and Jeonju. While researching the cities, I saw the recommendations to stay at 2 different hanoks. When I was putting together my trip, I requested to stay in those hanoks and Kimkim was able to make the reservations. I definitely recommend staying at Siwoowadang. The hanok was situated within walking distance to multiple areas and the hanok village. The restaurants around Siwoowadang were fabulous and my breakfast every morning was delicious. The couple that ran the hanok were amazing hosts and I had all the comforts I needed. When in Jeonju, I definitely recommend staying at Samlockhon as it is in the heart of the hanok village and the host is quick to give you the best restaurant and cafe recommendations. Jeonju was definitely one of my favorite places to visit.

My trip planner did plan my KTX tickets at a perfect time leaving me with a perfect amount of time visit each city. I am so glad that I was able to plan my trip with Kimkim and I will use them for my next vacation planning.

This was an amazing trip and we had a great time!
The tour with Jones the first 2 days was perfect. Jones did such an amazing job and he always went above and beyond to make sure we had a great time and be safe at all times. We truly missed him the rest of the trip. He’s a great driver and a great guide too.
K-pop class was great.
Color Analysis was great too.
Rides from and to airport were also great. MrNam has such a nice limo van with reclining seats, the most comfortable ride.
Alicia, our driver, was great too. She drove us the day of the snow storm. She was well prepared and she was a great driver even with the snow conditions.
Hotel was good. Nothing too fancy, but a great location. Staying in Myeongdong was a great decision. I think we went to the shops and market daily.

Thanks again for making this an unforgettable trip.

Hotel Review

Lotte City Hotel Myeongdong

Seoul

Great location. Good breakfast buffet with a great variety of Korean and non-Korean food.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Sightseeing in Seoul: Gyeongbokgung Palace and Jogyesa Temple

Seoul

Jones was the best driver and tour we could have ever had.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This was my second time planning a trip with KimKim, and it easily matched the stellar experience I had the first time. Christine truly did listen to my individual preferences in planning a trip to South Korea and Beijing that felt very bespoke in the end.

I personally find 5-star hotels very isolating but adore private tours, which is probably an odd combination. Nevertheless, Christine listened and accommodated my wishes. She was also the first to suggest China as a secondary destination. It was a segment that turned out to be the highlight of the trip - although everything was pretty much perfect from beginning to end.

What I failed to fully appreciate my first time with KimKim was how comforting and luxurious it is to have someone checking in on a routine basis as the tour progresses. As a solo traveler, it’s nice to know someone is there looking over my shoulder in case I run into trouble.

During this trip, I did encounter a couple of minor hiccups involving daily tours. I was able to reach out to Christine both times, and she quickly resolved the situations, leaving me free to enjoy myself. If I’d planned everything myself, I would have had to set aside a portion of my vacation to make alternate arrangements on the fly while in unfamiliar lands.

I’m sure this is only the start of a long relationship with KimKim, and I can’t wait to begin scoping out other destinations.

Hotel Review

Imperial Palace Botique hotel itaewo

The Imperial Palace Boutique Hotel Itaewon was fine. It's not luxurious, but I don't seek that when I travel. It had character and was a decent place to stay. Plus, it was in a great location.

Activity Reviews

Small Group Korean DMZ Tour

Seoul

The Small Group Korean DMZ Tour was disappointing due to the size of the group. It was larger than what I consider a small group, and it ended up with guides spending too much time tracking people down rather than providing in-depth information.

MBC DRAMA STUDIO One Day Tour from Seoul

Seoul

The MBC Drama Studio One Day Tour was a pleasant surprise and ended up being much more interesting than expected. Initially, it was a substitution for a K-pop tour, which got canceled, but I found it fascinating to see the depth of production they manage. Even though it turned out to be a large group tour, contrary to what was scheduled, it was still enjoyable.

Jessica was amazing. She managed to understand and follow up with all my requests. This was my first solo trip and I felt safe. I had wonderful guides. Mr Taylor Woo and William were amazing. Had a great vacation.

Hotel Reviews

The Westin Josun Seoul

This hotel is great and has an amazing location. I had 2 situations. 1) there was construction and they had to relocate me to another room. 2) In The second room the A/C was not properly working so they had to move me again. Although I had to change rooms three times, the staff was very helpful and acted quickly. They tried to make me feel comfortable and well cared for.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Soi Hanock Stay

Gyeongju

Very nice host and very clean! So relaxing!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

There is no on-site staff. The owner of the house is pretty accessible.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Grand Josun Busan

Loved the location, the staff, the room and the food!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lotte City Hotel Jeju

Jeju

I wanted to share some feedback about my hotel experience, as it was unfortunately the only downside of my time in Korea. The hotel lacked room service and didn’t have an onsite restaurant, so I was left with only the convenience store onsite for meals—which wasn’t ideal, especially with the heavy rain preventing me from going out. The TV was outdated (not a smart TV, NO netflix or other apps), with only CNN available for English-speaking guests, and the staff’s limited English fluency made it difficult to get assistance. Additionally, there was a strong, overpowering smell of wood in both the hallways and the rooms, making the environment uncomfortable. I seriously considered changing hotels due to these issues.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

They took my shower cap and didn't replace it. NO hand soap. Only 2 large and medium towels. NO small, face towel.

Activity Reviews

Full Day Petite France and Nami Island Tour (join in )

Seoul

Self guided. They just provide transportation.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hwadam Botanic Garden&Gwangmyeong Cave tour

Seoul

This was a group tour. They just drop you there and you walk and practically self-guide. If you want to do the Monorail you have to purchase ahead of time since it gets sold out quickly.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sightsee in Seoul: Gyeongbokgung Palace&Bukchon Hanok Village&N Seoul Tower

Seoul

Mr. Woo was a great guide